Joy Ann Ready

Joy Ann Ready, 76, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Chatsworth, Illinois, passed away on October 7, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with endometrial cancer.
Joy was born on November 6, 1948, in Fairbury, Illinois, to Donald C. Gerdes and Luvern (Martin) Gerdes. She attended Chatsworth schools and graduated from Chatsworth High School in 1966.
Throughout her life, Joy worked in many roles, including office clerk at Nichols Homeshield, cook for Marshfield Public Schools, and teacher's aide with Head Start programs in Marshfield, MO, and Effingham, IL. While never formally employed as one, Joy was truly a caregiver at heart. She devoted herself to caring for sick family members and could always be counted on to lend extra time and compassion to loved ones and neighbors in need.
Joy married Jack Mydler February 19, 1967. After their divorce, she married Johnny R. Ready, Sr. on May 22, 1980. From that time forward, her most cherished roles began being a farming wife and partner to Johnny, a devoted mother to their son Shawn, and a loving stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to Johnny's children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald L. Gerdes; her stepson, Jeffrey S. Ready; and her beloved husband, Johnny R. Ready, Sr.
Joy is survived by her son, Shawn T. (Katie) Ready, and her grandson, Johnny Michael Ready, of San Antonio, TX; her half-sister, Zoe VanDerryt (Glenn) Pearson of Lafayette, IN; her stepchildren Thomas Ready of Wilmington, IL; Johnny R. (Rena) Ready, Jr. of Caney, KS; Theresa (Edmond) Noffsinger of LeRoy, IL; Kimberly (Paul) Baumann of Travelers Rest, SC; Kathy (Bill) Abry of Pontiac, IL; and daughter-in-law Gina Ready of Bloomington, IL. In addition to her grandson, Joy is also survived by 22 step-grandchildren, 53 step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
Joy was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chatsworth, IL, even after moving away, she kept close ties to many of the church family while also attending other congregations throughout the years. She loved spending time outdoors in her yard, wrangling cows with Johnny, traveling or attending shows with friends, and being with family. Though she often teased about disliking Shawn's chickens, they were a frequent source of entertainment, joy and conversation for her.
Above all, Joy's greatest pride and happiness came from her grandson, Johnny Michael, who was the light of her life. She fought bravely for more time with him and was filled with excitement to welcome her second grandchild, expected in January.
Per Joy's request only graveside services will be held at the Chatsworth Charlotte Cemetery on Friday October 17th, 2025 at 12:00 pm. We will have a meal, fellowship and stories of Joy after the services at Chatsworth St. Peter and Paul Catholic Hall starting at 1pm. All are invited to eat and do one of Joys favorite things, converse. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, PO Box 1302 Seguin Texas 78155, The Justin Boots Cowboy Crisis Fund - https://www.justincowboycrisisfund.org or another charity of your choice in memory of Joy Ready.
Arrangements are being handled by Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.
Please sign her online guestbook at www.knappfuneralhomes.com. To send flowers to the family of Joy, please visit our floral store.